Ravindra Jadeja has been brought into India Test team for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, while Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain has been selected for his first international series at the age of 33.
India have named their squad for the next two-match series against Sri Lanka with veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja making a comeback after missing the one-off Test against Afghanistan. However, the most surprising addition to the squad is Saransh Jain who got his first taste of Test cricket after a stellar few matches for India A and domestic teams.
Jain’s selection comes after Washington Sundar was ruled out of the first Test with a hamstring injury. The 33-year-old off-spinner is getting his reward for his consistency in Madhya Pradesh and his recent form for India A.
Saransh Jain Gets First India Call-Up
Saransh has established an impressive red-ball record in recent years and is one of the important players for Madhya Pradesh. He has now played 54 first-class matches, picking up 188 wickets in 273 innings to the average of 27.3. He has also scored 2,223 runs with the bat.
His Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season performances were outstanding. Jain, who has recorded 518 runs with an average of 57.55, also picked up 30 wickets at 20.43, making his case for higher honours.
He also made a mark in the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka, picking up seven wickets in two unofficial Tests and an unbeaten 70 in the second Test.
Jadeja Returns to the Squad
Ravindra Jadeja has returned to the Test squad for India’s next Test against Afghanistan, following his inclusion in the squad for the previous match.Ravindra Jadeja has been recalled to the Test squad for the next Test against Afghanistan after being rested in the previous Test against the same side. His experience will be of great value in Sri Lankan conditions, where spin is likely to be an important factor.
Jadeja is one of the specialist spin options, along with Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar, while Jain is also an off-spinner and a handy lower-order batsman.
Jain, Suthar and Kuldeep may be able to compete for the three spinners in Sri Lanka as well.
Bumrah and Sudharsan Await Fitness Clearance
India’s squad also features Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan who have been named on the proviso of fitness clearance.
Bumrah has continued to be a vital cog in the Indian Test machine while Sudharsan has shown his class in his few available appearances in the longer format. The left-hander also had a fine performance for India A against Sri Lanka A in the unofficial Tests.
Several Players Miss Out
Hamstring injury has left Washington Sundar out of the squad while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Vidarbha all-rounder Harsh Dubey have also been left out of the squad.
Meanwhile, Manav Suthar has continued his impressive Test debut against Afghanistan. His maiden seven-wicket haul boosted his reputation in India’s spin ranks.
Bumrah will spearhead the pace attack, if fit, followed by Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar. Brar has played an excellent game for India A, making 10 wickets in the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A.
India Prepare for Sri Lanka Series
The two Test series will be India’s first ever Test tour of Sri Lanka in nine years. India had previously visited the island country in 2017 and swept them 3-0.
The first Test will begin in Galle on August 15 and the second Test will start in Colombo on August 23. A four-day warm up match will also take place in Colombo from August 7 in India.
India have a good balance of experience and young talent with Jadeja back and Jain a surprise call-up for a difficult Test series in Sri Lanka.
